Romina finished tying a red cloth head band around her head. She accommodated its bow so that it was to the side of her head and not right on top — Arden made it very clear that made her look like an idiot. Her reflection showed a pink-faced girl ready to go out. An owl's hoot brought Romina from her mirror onto a snowy-white owl kept in a cage over her armoire.

"Sorry Hedwig," Romina sighed, truly apologetic, and walked back to the owl who impatiently pecked at the lock on the cage. "The deal was you could stay with me and I'd let you out only at night. That was what Harry said so Vernon—"

Hedwig recognized the name all too well and squawked.

"Yeah," Romina leaned forwards, "I don't quite like him either. But…" she tiptoed to her door, poking her head out into the empty hallway. She then closed the door and hurried to her window, opening it up. "...maybe one day freedom won't cost anything," she returned to Hedwig and promptly unlocked the cage. "But you have to be back by tomorrow morning."

Hedwig hooted, and Romina translated that as 'of course Rom'...she hoped. It took quite some convincing to get her aunt and uncle approval to take Hedwig in for the summer. Harry's uncle Vernon had made the stupidest rule to keep Hedwig locked in her cage night and day. Romina offered her place as an alternative so that Hedwig could get some decent time out, but she'd made the terrible decision to offer before asking her aunt and uncle for permission. She locked herself in for some good fashioned chores before they finally agreed.

Romina closed the curtains but left her window open for Hedwig in case he decided to come back early. But, just as she was closing them, she heard her neighbor - Arden - frantically calling from Romina's front garden.

"Rom! Romina! Come down! It's Harry's house!"

Squinting her eyes as best as possible, Romina tried seeing the Dursley's household but ultimately failed. The Dursley's were all the way down the street.

"Be there in a sec!" Romina instead called to Arden then hurriedly ran out of the room.

By the time the girl was out, Arden was already midway down the block. Arden, looked in a cross of terror and anger.

"What's happening?" Romina asked.

"Lilah was playing with Fabian and she said Vernon was putting bars around Harry's bedroom window!"

"Lilah tends to lie, Arden, in case you hadn't noticed," Romina playfully rolled her eyes. Arden's younger sister had a wild imagination and tended to come up with the oddest stories she would swear were true.

Arden grabbed Romina by the hand and pulled her into a sprint down the block. "There, see!" Arden pointed a pink-polished finger at the Dursley's house, specifically the window of Harry's new bedroom (which in reality had been Dudley's second room) that bore ugly grim bars like a true prison cell.

Romina's mouth fell open. "Oh they did not!"

"Ooh but they did," Arden said calmly. Both girls were used to the awful treatment Harry received, more Romina than Arden, but this was crossing the line. "Isn't today's Harry's twelfth birthday?" Arden asked after just staring.

"Yup," Romina crossed her arms. Her teeth gritted together. "And I am not letting this just pass. Nope."

Arden watched her whip away and walk back towards their homes. "What are you going to do?"

"Simple, I'm going to get the best troublemakers I know."

Because she was walking behind, Arden missed the great smirk on Romina's face.

~0~

The last thing Harry expected on his birthday was for the Weasley twins and Ron to come bust him out (literally) from his bedroom. It was a bonus watching uncle Vernon toppling out of the window he himself had barred...not to mention the fact the grand escape had been done with a flying car. Oh yes, the Weasleys had outdone themselves this time!

He found the most magnificent home ever with them - the Burrow. While it was kind of a mess inside, he felt absolutely warm and comfortable. They were even nice enough to take him to Diagon Alley with them so that they could all buy their newly required school supplies. If only they had helped him a little more with that Floo powder technique - or maybe he should have listened when Romina explained the ability to him long ago. He recalled something about it being installed in her home, but they rarely used it. She, however, knew exactly how to use it. He, unfortunately, still would need more practice. Maybe that way he could avoid the infamous Knockturn Alley next time. Least that was what he hoped considering what he heard from Hagrid who was the one to find Harry roaming there.

"Dentists are for your teeth's health—see mine?" Romina's voice was the first thing Harry heard when Hagrid and Hermione brought him into Gringotts. She was pointing at her white, straight teeth so that Mr. Weasley could see. She was trying to help him understand the concept of 'dentists' since Hermione's parents were a bit overwhelmed. Lyonel and Sage were giving her disapproving looks that she kept missing.

Mr. Weasley was delighted to learn.

"Oh, Harry. Thank goodness. We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far," Mrs. Weasley came hurrying to Harry just to make sure he was alright.

"Where did you come out?" Ron curiously wondered.

"Knockturn Alley," Hagrid answered for Harry, and rather somberly.

There were various reactions in the group, but it summed up to the kids being excited and jealous while the adults - save for Hermione's parents who knew nothing of Knockturn Alley - were rather horrified.

"Excellent!" Fred and George exclaimed.

Even Romina had turned her attention to them. "Knockturn Alley? Isn't that place cool?"

Both twins turned on her, and fast, with looks of betrayal. "You've been there!?" they both demanded.

"We've never been allowed in," Ron grumbled.

"And neither was she," Lyonel siad, putting a hand on her shoulder. There were traces of anger still in Lyonel's words as he explained more. "She wandered off last month while we were meant to be eating. We found her in Borgin's and Burkes."

Romina just smirked, apparently proud of herself. "It was so cool!"

"It was not!" Lyonel snapped and pushed her forwards to begin heading out.

"It really was," she whispered to the twins beside her who snickered.

After they had taken out their needed money from the bank, they started heading out.

"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry began talking with Ron and Hermione in front, but of course it was an open conversation for all those with ears. "Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" asked Mr. Weasley immediately.

"No, he was selling—" Harry barely said when the adult spoke over him.

"So he's worried. Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something…"

"You be careful, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley warned him as they stepped out of the bank. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew."

Mr. Weasley was not pleased. "So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?"

While the two went back and forth, the other students went a bit farther ahead. They headed off to the bookstore because according to Hermione, there was someone they just needed to meet. Just outside the bookstore was a large banner over the second floor windows with 'Gilderoy Lockhart will be signing copies of his autobiography Magical Me today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.' sprawled across it.

"We can actually meet him!" Hermione practically squealed with joy. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"

Romina was squinting her eyes at the banner, a thoughtful expression taking over her facial features. "Auntie, isn't it that author you like?"

"Yes," Lyonel had answered, instead, with a light sigh.

Because Sage, along with Mrs. Weasley, had rushed inside the bookstore. When the kids began to take a closer look, they realized nearly all - if not all - the current customers inside the store were middle-aged and older women. Squeezing through them was a challenge enough, never mind getting in line with them.

"Uncle Lyonel, I can get my own books," Romina pushed her uncle to where her aunt was in line. "You just look after auntie. We don't want her to get lost." Lyonel grumbled but did indeed stay close to his wife. Romina then pushed her own way through the crowds of women and children. She finally lost her patience against a tall brunette woman who had been babbling to her friends about Lockhart. "MOVE IT!" The twelve year old pushed the woman to the side and stepped on her foot...by accident of course.

She eventually caught up with the rest of her friends and together scoured the store for their new books, which Hermione had been right to say included most of Lockhart's collection. When they returned to their respective guardians, the line had somewhat moved.

"Oh, there you are, good," Mrs. Weasley was in the middle of patting her hair down. "We'll be able to see him in a minute…"

"Auntie Sage, are you even breathing?" They heard Romina seriously asking her aunt.

"Romina Aline Oswell, you best keep your sarcastic mouth closed today," Sage almost snapped.

"No way—your middle name's Aline?" Fred repeated the only thing he and his brother had heard in that entire sentence.

"Can we call you Aline now?" George was oddly excited about the prospect.

"No!" Romina promptly said, warning them with her red painted nail at them.

The famous Gilderoy Lockhart - a tall, wavy blonde with striking blue eyes - came into view. He seemed to bask in the photography flashing at him. "Out of the way, there!" he pushed Ron a bit to the side to catch a picture.

"This is for the Daily Prophet," the photographer snapped.

"Big deal—" Ron gasped when the photographer stepped on his foot.

Gilderoy, however, had seen right past Ron to the famous twelve year old in the store. "It can't be Harry Potter?" His entire audience murmured about the boy. Even the photographer had turned back to see Harry.

Romina 'innocently' pushed Harry forwards. Beside her, the twins smirked. Lockhart took Harry and set him right beside him for a picture. Harry went red in the face when the fans began to applaud. The photo was snapped while Lockhart and Harry 'shook hands'.

"I'm so going to buy the Daily Prophet now," Romina couldn't help laugh. It was clear as day for her, the twins and Ron that Harry wanted to get as far away as possible from Lockhart.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart had secured Harry's spot with an arm around the boy's shoulders. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography — which I shall be happy to present to him now, free of charge—he had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

The audience burst into applause except for a few students, not including Hermione of course. Harry didn't have time to process as he was being given all of Lockhart's book collection.

"Is that git really teaching Defence against the Dark Arts?" Fred wore a big scowl on his face.

"Don't let Mum hear you," Ron warned but their mother was well enthralled with the commotion of the fans.

"He's an author, and maybe a good one, but to teach such a delicate subject?" Romina herself was having doubts. "Why not give the position to professor Snape? He sure has an aptitude for it."

"Oh come now, Aline," George swung an arm around her shoulders, "Stop dreaming of the impossible."

Romina threw him a glare and promptly punched him in the arm. "I said don't call me that!" Ron, and even Hermione, snickered while Romina stalked up the staircase.

"Oh, dear Aline, forgive me!" George dramatically called and even went after her.

"GEORGE!"

"You can have these," Harry had no problems dumping all his 'new books' into Ginny's new cauldron. "I'll buy my own."

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" Draco's voice caused a great weariness to take over Harry's face. He was certainly not looking to argue today. Just for today. Draco had no problem continuing. "Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" Ginny exclaimed, actually talking for the first time near Harry that day.

"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" Draco sneered, making both Ginny and Harry go red in the face.

Ron and Hermione had rushed over to see what was going on, and were deeply disappointed to find it was only their worst enemy.

"Oh, it's you," Ron looked to the side, muttering his words. "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," Draco had been thinking of that one since Ron came into view. He smirked at the sight of the books Ron was carrying. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."

Ron scowled and threw his books into Ginny's cauldron, apparently intending to fight that day but his plans were thwarted when a tall pale blonde appeared behind Draco. It was like seeing the future.

"Ah... Mr. Potter. I don't believe we've met," Lucius Malfoy greeted with what seemed a natural cold tone. Harry was bewildered when the older Malfoy extended a hand as if to shake with Harry's, only to then move some of Harry's hair off his forehead and reveal the famous lightning scar.

Harry stepped back, and hoped to God that never happened again.

"Forgive me, Mr. Potter. But your scar is legendary. As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."

Harry didn't think there was enough hatred towards the 'wizard' and frowned. "He was a murderer."

Still, Malfoy didn't look bothered. "Yes, a pity about your parents. Curious that you yourself should escape with a mere flesh wound. Curious, too, that you speak of him in the past. Surely, you don't think He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named is gone forever."

"His name is Voldemort," Harry fearlessly said, startling those around them.

"You must be very brave, Mr. Potter, to dare speak his name. Or foolish."

Hermione spoke up behind Harry, and rather bravely too. "Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." She then upheld the distasteful glare sent her way by the man.

"You must be Miss Granger. Draco's told me all about you... and your parents…" Malfoy looked past Hermione to her parents, two nervous-looking people curiously staring back. "Muggles, aren't you?"

"I swear to God, George, if you don't leave me alone I'm going to throw you down the stairs!" Romina had it with the one twin trailing after her who was still of course calling her by her middle name.

Lyonel had unfortunately heard the threat and came right over to scold her. "Romina!"

Romina and George froze then looked over the staircase rail below.

"Oswell?" Lucius repeated, and Lyonel, who was the only one facing him, caught a malicious glee in those grey eyes of the man. "Would you happen to be the Oswell my son has spoken about in the last year?"

Romina leaned forwards on the banister with a curious look at Draco. "I would hope so. If not, I'd be really offended that he chose to talk about another Oswell instead of me."

Draco smirked while the rest of the students seemed stunned by her words.

"Aline you are so grounded now," George whispered behind Romina. The girl gritted her teeth together and turned on him again, ready to actually follow through with her earlier threat had it not been for Fred's father coming over.

"Ron!" Mr. Weasley came over with Fred right behind him. "What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside! George, get down from there!"

"Romina, you too, and now!" Lyonel had spoken in an unusually cold voice. George followed his father's instructions but Romina, who was confused - for she had done nothing wrong as far as she knew - remained right where she was.

"Well, well, well—Arthur Weasley," Malfoy entertained himself with the man next. "Busy time at the Ministry, I hear. All those raids . . . I hope they're paying you overtime?" Ginny flinched when he took a tattered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration from her cauldron. "Obviously not. Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of a wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of a wizard, Malfoy," Mr. Weasley said back, curt.

"Clearly," Mr. Malfoy couldn't agree more. His grey eyes once again swept over Hermione's parents. "The company you keep, Weasley . . . and I thought your family could sink no lower—"

Poor Ginny saw her cauldron flying in the air after her father practically lunged for Malfoy. The tall blonde had landed against a bookshelf but caused some of the books to fall over people's heads.

"Get him, Dad!" one of the twins cheered on.

But most of them had to disperse as the two men went back and forth. More shelves were knocked and thus books fell by the dozens.

Romina had taken to watching the procession from her spot on the staircase. She was neither cheering nor disapproving but was rather interested in the outcome. Somebody would be in trouble for sure.

"Oswell, you surprise me, you're not even going to try and break them up?" Draco had magically found his way to the staircase unharmed by the flying books.

"I'm not the only one. Look, the twins are cheering," Romina pointed to the two gingers with fists in the air.

"Yeah, but those two are set in another sync or something," Draco stopped beside her. "They can't count."

"Alright, what about you?"

A smirk found its way across Draco's lips. "Don't need to. I know who'd win."

Romina playfully rolled her eyes. "Well, you haven't changed much."

"You have," Draco said within the next second, eyeing her with some muse. "Curious, in my letters to you about pureblood history, I don't remember writing anything about that..." He pointed to the headband with an outstanding bow on her head. "No pureblood girl would be caught dead with one of those."

Romina scoffed. "Okay, let's get one thing straight here. Just because I agreed to listen — or rather read — about this supposed important history, does not mean I will be adjusting to your weird customs."

"I can tell," Draco said bluntly, "Seriously, the bow — why?"

"It's new. Hermione gave me one for my birthday over the summer and I found out I like them. Is it really that bad?"

Giving her another look up, Draco replied with, "Nah, just...different."

There was a brief exchange of smiles before their attention was diverted to Hagrid, who'd made an appearance in time to separate Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy from each other. With a looming black eye, Mr. Malfoy tossed Ginny her Transfiguration book. "Here, girl — take your book — it's the best your father can give you."

"Go," Romina whispered to Draco, seeing his father was more than furious. The boy didn't think twice before running down the stairs. Not a minute later did Romina's aunt and uncle beckon her.

The lot of them left the bookstore with different reactions. The Weasleys were arguing over the fight while the Grangers were practically shaking from fear. The Oswells were murmuring to each other, both disapproving of what they saw. The families had to part at the Leaky Cauldron, for the Grangers had come by car.

"I'll make sure to send Hedwig over tonight," Romina said to Harry as they bid goodbye. "I'm so glad the Weasleys are letting you stay with them."

"I'm glad they came for me," Harry said back, and immediately saw Romina smiling just a tad too innocently. "Rom…?"

"Alrightie, off we go…" Fred came by to give Romina a hug.

"Yeah, and don't miss us too much, okay?" George promptly pulled his brother off the girl to hug her himself.

"I've been doing fine for a month now," Romina replied.

George drew back and sadly looked at Romina, his hands still on her arms. "Poor thing. She's struggling."

Romina rolled her eyes and swatted his hands off her. "I'm struggling alright...struggling to not punch you for making sure the entire second floor of the bookstore knew my middle name." With a winning grin, George was off with Fred. "Oh, and Harry," Romina called just as Harry began to leave with Ron, "Make sure to write to me about how fun it was driving in a flying car."

Harry's mouth fell open with shock.

"She is good," Ron said all giddly.

"What did you do!?" Hermione Granger didn't fail to demand when they were left alone.

"Nothing," Romina shrugged casually, looking at her aunt and uncle who were bidding goodbye to Hermione's parents.

"Romina…"

"Well, you didn't see it, Hermione! But Harry's uncle put prison bars - that's right, actual bars - around Harry's bedroom window! I had to do something!"

"So you just...gave those ginger idiots the idea to steal their flying car? Why do they even have a flying car!?"

Romina truly didn't know. "Point is, I got him out. I am good."

"Romina—"

"Gotta go, Hermione!" Romina gave the girl a quick hug. "Write to me if you want!"

"Come along now, Romina," Lyonel ushered his niece to the Floo Network fireside in the place. For some reason, neither he nor his wife seemed very pleased.

They were back home in no time, and Romina was quick to take another look at her school supplies right there in their living room. She knew Sage would sooner or later scold her for the mess of books she was making...although since most of them were from Lockhart's collection, Romina dared to think her aunt would let it slide. She did get a couple of premonitions of murmurs from her aunt and uncle, but brushed it off as she delved more into Lockhart's books. They weren't completely bad like the Weasley twins had made it sound - it didn't mean that they were amazing like Hermione had promised either. They were just interesting. The man had imagination, and plenty of experiences by the looks of it.

When dinner time came around, Romina came hopping down the steps from her bedroom. "I just sent Hedwig over to the Burrow," she informed her aunt and uncle as she took a seat at the table. "Though I had to write that I couldn't send over his cage. I don't think Hedwig will mind, if we're being honest."

She smiled and expected - or rather hoped - to hear one of her aunt and uncle say something along the lines of 'we'll bring it over'. She desperately wanted to be at the Burrow to have some fun. However, neither said such a thing.

"Are...you mad with me…?" Romina recognized the faces of disapproval, and a tad of concern. "Auntie, I'll clean up my books in the living room—"

"It's not the books, sweetheart," Sage said slowly, glancing at her husband silently.

Romina followed the gesture and frowned. "Then what? Was it me threatening to push George down the staircase?"

"No," Lyonel said, much sharper than his wife. "But we will not be making threats like those again, do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Romina dutifully nodded her head. She hesitated talking for a minute but felt like dinner wouldn't be good until she knew what the actual problem was. "What did I do?" her question had come out more like a demand.

"You're not in trouble, sweetie," Sage began, but Romina judged from her aunt's face that it was somewhere along the trouble-line.

"Then why is uncle Lyonel looking like he's about to ground me?"

Sage shot her husband a look that said to calm down. Lyonel put his hands, which were fists, on either side of his plate over the table. "Romina we have never intruded on your social life but it's different now…"

"What?" Romina frowned.

"...before you only had muggle friends - save for Harry - and it was relatively calm…"

"I'm not understanding…" Romina looked to her grandmother for some help.

"...now at Hogwarts things are much more different. Hell, the wizarding community in its whole is far different than what you were used to so I can understand if during your first year you were confused and naive on who your friends were," Lyonel took a moment and paused. Sage seemed terribly nervous while Romina was getting more and more irritated. Like her mother, Romina had a temper when it came to confusing things. "You have to be careful who you become friends with, Romina," Lyonel eyed her seriously. "The Weasleys, for example, are fantastic people. They have no records of Dark Arts in their bloodlines."

"Of course not, they're good," Romina said softly.

"Exactly," Lyonel nodded. "Now the Grangers - they're muggles - and I think it's wonderful that you don't follow what the Oswells have done in the past."

"Disregard muggles as trash?"

"Exactly. Hermione is a bright student and I think she'll influence you right. Same with Arden King. I know you're also good with the Greengrass girl…"

"Daphne?"

"Yes. Family's relatively good. The Paes family has always been neutral on the case but now that Parkinson girl - you shouldn't spend time with her."

Romina debated about arguing for that one because with each day Pansy Parkinson grew more and more irritating. Still, she considered Pansy a somewhat friend - acquaintance even.

"The girl's parents are one of those blood elitist people we wouldn't want you to get to know. The same applies to the Malfoys. You've seen what the father thinks like. You should stay away from the son. Understand?"

There was a couple of minutes before Romina gave an answer. Many thoughts swirled through her mind, putting together her grandfather's words until she drew sense from them. And she was not happy about it.

"I can't believe you're doing this," she frowned. "I can accept your suggestions because everyone is open to one, but this isn't a suggestion, is it?"

Her grandmother looked down, but her grandfather seemed quite adamant in his stance.

"It is for the best, Romina. There were plenty of families - including the Malfoys - who were known to be on You-Know-Who's side."

"I didn't think you would ever do that, uncle Lyonel," Romina said, her voice completely free of anger. She didn't even have it in her eyes. She was just, honestly, surprised.

"Do what?" Lyonel asked.

Romina licked her lips and stood up from her chair. "When I got my letter to Hogwarts the first thing you told me was that it wasn't going to be easy for me - an Oswell - to enter the wizarding community after what my parents and our family did. But my naive self went in thinking I would own it like nothing. So many kids judged me because of what my parents did - they accused me of something as terrible as trying to hurt my best friend. I spent almost an entire year being accused of more things and...everyone was scared of me. I didn't have friends anymore, just Arden, Hermione, Angel, Daphne, and yeah...even Draco and Pansy."

"Is there a point to this?" Lyonel raised an eyebrow. Sage placed a hand over his, seeming a little more understanding.

"Yes, there most certainly is," Romina answered curtly. "You are asking me to do the very same thing that you warned me last year people would do to me. You want me to judge kids based on what their parents believe or have done."

Lyonel's face washed over with shock.

"If I ever do stop being friends with someone, it'll be because of what they have done, not because of their parents. I think you would understand that," Romina politely excused herself to her room and walked out the room.

A minute later, Lyonel saw his wife cracking a smile. "Why are you happy?" he asked.

"Because now I know that we raised her well," Sage's smile widened as she got up to serve them some drinks.

A/N:

P.S As always, I have a tumblr account dedicated to my fanfic works! It's a place where anyone can comment about a story or even just talk to me! I often drop aesthetic work belonging to my stories too! Feel free to check it out, my URL is "saiilorstars"